Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Twenty-Five Years After 9/11, Terrorism Threat Remains Unfinished
On September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four airplanes and killed nearly 3,000 people.
Since then, many countries have worked to stop terrorist groups.
Some important leaders and terrorist bases have been defeated.
However, groups such as Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have continued in smaller or changing forms.
Terrorists can now spread messages online and encourage people to attack without direct contact.
The article says India has faced many attacks, including attacks in Pahalgam and an alleged plot linked to the Red Fort blast.
It also argues that safe places and support from governments can help terrorist groups survive.
The main message is that remembering 9/11 must include continuing efforts against terrorism and the ideas that encourage violence.
The September 11, 2001 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people in the United States.
The article argues that Al-Qaeda, Islamic State and affiliated groups remain resilient despite military defeats.
Terrorist networks have shifted toward online radicalization, encrypted communications and decentralized operations.
India’s experience includes attacks in Mumbai, Pahalgam and the 2025 Red Fort blast investigation.
The article says terrorist sanctuary, alleged state support and ideological radicalization continue complicating counterterrorism efforts.
- Who
- The victims of the September 11 attacks, Al-Qaeda, Islamic State, affiliated terrorist groups, India and international counterterrorism agencies are central to the article.
- What
- The article argues that Islamist terrorism remains an active, evolving transnational threat 25 years after 9/11.
- When
- The main anniversary discussed is September 11, 2001, with later examples from January 2015, 2011, April and May 2025, and November 10, 2025.
- Where
- The events discussed include New York, the Pentagon, Pennsylvania, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, India, Pakistan, Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, France and the wider online sphere.
- Why
- The article attributes terrorism’s persistence to extremist ideology, online radicalization, political instability, terrorist financing, and alleged sanctuary or support from states.
- September 11 attacks
- Four commercial aircraft were used in attacks on New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania; nearly 3,000 people were killed.
- Al-Qaeda
- The organization survived the death of Osama bin Laden and the degradation of its leadership, according to the article.
- Islamic State
- The group lost its territorial caliphate but continued through affiliates and decentralized operations.
- India’s 2025 Red Fort investigation
- Authorities described an alleged network involving medical professionals, explosives, financial transfers, encrypted communications and foreign handlers.
- Pahalgam attack
- The article says an April 22, 2025 attack killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Operation Sindoor
- India said it struck nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir on May 7, 2025.
- Central argument
- Military victories against terrorist groups do not, by themselves, eliminate the ideology, networks or sanctuary that sustain terrorism.